Kenya hit a new record by setting up a 52-house complex in Kilifi County, becoming the world's largest 3D-printed affordable housing project.
The Mvule Gardens 3D-printed affordable housing project was constructed through a joint venture between 14 Trees, the UK’s Development Finance Institution (DFI), impact investor and Holcim.
The project contractors employed innovative and versatile 3D printing systems to deliver unique houses. The materials used to make the 3D houses included cement sourced locally and natural hydraulic lime solutions.
Cement and natural hydraulic lime solutions were used to cover pressure levels for high print speed capacity.
They also used TectorPrint, an innovative 3D printing ink range tailored to complex residential buildings and infrastructure applications.
TectorPrint was considered for the project as it helped optimise the material used and minimise errors during construction.
The new technology was adopted for the Mvule Gardens 3D-printed housing project, enabling fast construction of affordable and sustainable homes.
Specifications of the 3D Houses
Firms involved in construction offered between one and three bedrooms in a low-density gated community close to Kilifi Town.
The houses achieved edge advanced certification meaning the contractors focused on making the building resource efficient.
At Mvule, the 3D houses were designed to achieve 45 per cent energy-saving mark and 27 per cent water-saving levels.
"14Trees is using a 3D printer capable of building structures more than 10 meters long. TectorPrint is flexible and can adapt to a wide variety of needs, which enables the fast construction of affordable and sustainable homes at scale," one of the companies involved in construction stated.
Additionally, they used less embodied energy materials to set up the world's largest 3D houses in Mvule Gardens.
The construction cost was between Ksh30,000 to Ksh31,000 per square meter.
"In line with the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP), and given the effects of climate change being experienced the world over, this project is indeed timely and opportune having achieved EDGE Advanced Certification.
"I also note that the cost of construction per square metre is reasonable, between Ksh30,000 to Ksh31,000 per square meter, thus lowering the sale price per square metre," Charles Hinga, PS for housing, stated during the launch in 2022
With the first phase's success, the government is also touted to explore 3D technology to build affordable homes in different parts of the country.
